{"product_id":"empirical-cilantro","title":"Empirical Cilantro","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEmpirical Cilantro\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 38% ABV (76 proof) botanical spirit in a 750mL bottle, vacuum-distilled in Brooklyn, New York by Empirical, the flavor company founded in 2017 by Noma alumni Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen. Built on a smooth French wheat base, it is an expression of the whole cilantro plant — leaf, stem and seed — lifted by tomatillo and lime, with no sugar added. Released in fall 2024 as the first bottling in Empirical's new bartender-focused line, it takes one of the kitchen's most divisive herbs and makes it bright, grassy and disarmingly approachable. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 38% (76 proof)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750mL\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBase:\u003c\/strong\u003e French wheat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanicals:\u003c\/strong\u003e cilantro, tomatillo, lime\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brooklyn, New York\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e low-temperature vacuum distillation; no sugar added\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Whole Plant, Stem to Seed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmpirical built its name on ignoring spirit categories entirely — flavor first, labels later — and Cilantro is the clearest statement of that ethos since the company relocated from Copenhagen to Brooklyn. Fresh cilantro leaves bring the green, citrusy top notes; tomatillo evokes the flavor of the stem; lime sharpens the leaf's natural brightness; and a touch of vinegar ties the whole plant together. Shelf-mates in the same new line, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/empirical-olive\"\u003eEmpirical Olive\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/empirical-stonefruit\"\u003eEmpirical Stonefruit\u003c\/a\u003e, take the same approach to savory olives and autumn fruit. Find Cilantro in the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/liqueurs\"\u003eliqueur collection\u003c\/a\u003e and on the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/spirits\"\u003espirits shelf\u003c\/a\u003e, or browse all of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vendors?q=Empirical\"\u003eEmpirical's releases\u003c\/a\u003e at Del Mesa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bright citrus bouquet and a pop of garden-fresh herbs up front, finishing dry and mineral with hints of fennel and green tomato. Refreshing, grassy and herbal — and notably free of the soapy note cilantro skeptics fear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSplit it with blanco tequila or mezcal in a Margarita for a savory, herbaceous twist, pour it long with soda in a highball where the green notes open up beautifully, or use it to give a Last Word a fresh herbal backbone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Empirical Cilantro a gin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo — Empirical calls its spirits \"uncategorized.\" It is a French-wheat spirit distilled with cilantro, tomatillo and lime, bottled at 38% ABV with no sugar added.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI don't like cilantro. Will I hate this?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProbably not — the distillate reads fresh, green and citrusy rather than soapy or metallic, and it was designed to win over skeptics in classic cocktails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat cocktails does it suit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMargaritas, highballs with soda, and herbal classics like the Last Word and Corpse Reviver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh, green and utterly singular — order \u003cstrong\u003eEmpirical Cilantro\u003c\/strong\u003e online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Empirical","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67963560329259,"sku":"DM17446L","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1277\/3667\/files\/empirical-cilantro-750.jpg?v=1792613327","url":"https:\/\/www.delmesaliquor.com\/products\/empirical-cilantro","provider":"Del Mesa Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}